Ball pitcher and catcher.



No. 828,244. v I PATENTED AUG. 7, 1906. 0. J. PUNGHES.

BALL PITGHBR AND GATUHER.

APPLICATION FILED Auefzs. 1906.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. '7', 1906.

Application filed August 28,1905. Serial No. 276,111-

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, OSCAR J. PUNOHES, a citizen of the United States, residing at T- ledo, in the county of Lucas and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ball Pitchers and Catchers; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in game devices, and more particularly to a device by means of which balls may be caught and pitched in playing base-ball and similar games.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and durable device of this character which may be manufactured at a comparatively small cost and which will be well adapted for the purposes intended.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination, and ar rangement of parts, as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved ball pitching and catching device. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view through the same, and Fig. 3 is a detail transverse sectional view taken on the line 3 3 in Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings by numeral, 1 denotes my improved ball pitcher and catcher, which consists of a body portion or handle 2, having at one end a ball holding or clamping device 3, in which the ball is placed when it is to be pitched, and at its opposite end a pocket or bag 4 to receive the ball when catching the same.

The device is preferably formed from a single piece of wire or metal rod of suitable size by bending the same at its center to form a circular or elliptical loop 5, then twisting the same to form the handle portion 2 and bending the ends of this piece of wire or rod to form the ball-holder 3. The latter is sub stantially circular and is formed by coiling the overlapping ends of the piece of wire or rod so as to form spring-jaws 6, which are adapted to engage the ball when placed in the loop or holder, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. Owing to the resiliency of the wire of which the device is'formed, the two halves or sections of the holder spring together, so as to firmly engage the ball, but at the same time permit it to leave the holder when it is desired to throw or pitch the ball. The pocket or bag 4 is formed, preferably, of canvas or netting and may be secured to the loop 5, as shown, or in any other suitable manner.

The use and advantages of the invention will be readily understood from the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

It will be seen that a ball may be readily caught in the pocket or bag 4. by holding the device so that the ball enters its open side and drops into the bag or sack. When it is desired to throw or pitch the ball, the latter is placed in the holder 3, as previously stated, and the device is swung from over the head or the shoulder, so that the ball will leave the pocket and fly in the desired direction. With a little practice the ball may be readily thrown with great force and accuracy and with less exertion than is necessary when throwing from the hand.

Various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A ball pitching and catching device having a handle provided at one end with resilient ball-engaging jaws and at the opposite end with a loop and a pocket or bag attached to said loop.

2. A ball pitching and catching device formed from a single piece ofmetal wire or rod and comprising a twisted handle portion, a loop at one end of the latter, resilient ballengaging aws at the opposite end of said handle portion and a pocket or bag attached to said loop, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto 'set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

OSCAR J. PUNCHES.

Witnesses:

JAooB GETrLEsoN, G. W. GRAHAM. 

